Today (August 16, 2024), NOPD Superintendent Anne E. Kirkpatrick announced that the NOPD has seen a significant reduction in criminal incidents in the City of New Orleans to date in 2024.

"I am pleased to announce that the New Orleans Police Department has achieved a significant reduction in crime," Kirkpatrick said during a press event held at the NOPD's Special Operations Division. "This marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our community."

Kirkpatrick was joined at the event by New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell; New Orleans CAO Gilbert Montano; Louisiana State Police Col. Robert Hodges; New Orleans Public Safety Director John Thomas; New Orleans Criminal Justice Commissioner Tenisha Stevens; members of the New Orleans City Council, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams; representatives from federal, local and state law enforcement partner agencies; and local community partners and leaders.

The following information, complied by the NOPD Analytics Division, shows a marked decrease in multiple crime categories to date in 2024. These include:

• A 24-percent decrease in persons crime overall
• A 43-percent decrease in violent crime (murder, nonfatal shootings, and armed robberies)
• A 37-percent decrease in murders, seeing 51 incidents to date as of today.
• A 71-percent decease in the number of juvenile victims in homicide incidents.
• NOPD Homicide Section currently at a year-to-date solve rate of just over 65 percent.
• A 43-percent decrease in nonfatal shootings, with 107 fewer shooting incidents than at this point in 2023.
• A 39-percent decrease in the number of nonfatal shooting victims, showing 124 fewer victims year to date.
• A 46-percent decrease in armed robbery incidents
• A 49-percent decrease in carjacking incidents
• An overall decrease of 25 percent in property crime incidents, which includes
  • A 46-percent decrease in armed robbery incidents
  • A 49-percent decrease in carjacking incidents
  • A 44-percent decrease in vehicle burglary incidents, which also includes a 44-percent decrease in the number of firearms stolen in vehicle burglary incidents
  • While many property crime categories have seen decreases, the NOPD has seen an 11-percent increase in theft incidents, as well as a 21-percent increase in shoplifting incidents.

Additionally, NOPD median emergency response times currently stand at 9 minutes and 16 seconds, while median nonemergency response times are currently at 11 minutes, 32 seconds. The combined median response time for all calls for service for July 2024 - 13.1 minutes - was the lowest monthly median response time since March 2021.

These reductions were noted recently in a survey released by the Major Cities Chiefs Association, listing New Orleans as one of the top 70 cities in the country experiencing a marked decrease in violent crime. The U.S. Attorney General's Office has also made note of this decrease.

Today's event was not a celebration of statistics, Kirkpatrick said, but a moment for the NOPD to acknowledge the reality behind the figures.

"Each statistic represents a grieving family, a life tragically lost and a community affected," she said, "We must honor that loss as we discuss these numbers today."

Over the past year, Kirkpatrick noted, the NOPD has implemented several key strategies to focus on violent crime. These strategies have served to aid in the marked reductions.

"We've been able to make significant progress by concentrating our efforts on the areas and individuals that pose the greatest threat to our community," she said, "These intentional strategies include enhanced data analysis, community engagement, and partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies. We've also increased our focus on proactive policing and intervention programs. We're employing innovative policing methods to keep both our citizens and visitors safe. This includes advanced technology, community policing initiatives, and specialized training for our officers."

Kirkpatrick thanked the members of the NOPD for their unwavering dedication and effort to serve and protect the citizens of and visitors to New Orleans. She discussed multiple points of interest regarding officers' efforts that have cultivated positive results. These include:

• Eighth District investigators having solved every case assigned to them over the past four months, as well as a 90-percent apprehension rate for crimes including shootings, armed robberies and carjackings.
• Fourth District officers and detectives identifying a suspect involved in multiple shooting incidents. Since the suspect's arrest, the district has seen a 50-percent reduction in homicides.
• Second District officers recently arresting a juvenile linked to more than 40 vehicle thefts and burglaries, as well as an aggravated assault incident.
• The Seventh District leading all NOPD districts with a 40-percent reduction in violent crime. The district has arrested more than 277 felons, made 75 gun crime arrests and has confiscated more than 104 weapons.
• NOPD Homicide Detective James Fyfe having solved 17 consecutive murder cases. This incredible work involved more than 100 search warrants, conducting multiple suspect and witness interviews, and working in cooperation with agencies from Tennessee to Texas.

"This work goes above and beyond, and these dedicated men and women deliver it every day," Kirkpatrick said. "Our officers have made a tremendous impact on public safety."

The superintendent also offered thanks to Mayor LaToya Cantrell and her administration, the New Orleans City Council and the city's public safety leaders for their continued support. She also recognized local, state, federal and community partners for their teamwork and assistance, and community leaders for standing with the NOPD in support of public safety.

"These partnerships with local government, law enforcement and community agencies are all helping to make New Orleans a safer, stronger, and more vibrant city," Kirkpatrick said.

Have a question or correction? Please email NOPD's Public Affairs Division at [email protected]

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